California: Fast-fading Bustamante has conservatives re-thinking Schwarzenegger support

California Public Policy Foundation Capitol Watch email | October 3, 2003

[John Jorsett]

Some conservative Republicans who say they believe state Sen. Tom McClintock would be a better governor than Arnold Schwarzenegger but who planned to vote for Schwarzenegger as their best hope of electing a Republican are switching to McClintock in light of recent polls indicating both GOP candidates will likely finish ahead of Cruz Bustamante. "If it is down to a two-man race," a GOP activist said, "my vote is for Tom. Schwarzenegger seemed to be the lesser of two evils compared to Bustamante, but that rationale disappears when Bustamante turns out to be the candidate that can't win."

McClintock, who has run ahead of Schwarzenegger among Independent voters, enjoys statewide favorable/unfavorable ratings much better than any other major candidate. GOP political observers say this factor, if it combines with a large-scale movement among Republicans who feel free now to "vote their consciences," could significantly increase McClin- tock's support by Tuesday.

[Ol' Sparky]

Let's hope this is true...McClintock can win and will implement conservative ideas that will turn California around.

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[janetgreen]

I really believe that McClintock could better represent California. He knows what the problems are here, and I think he's sincere in his promise to try to solve them (if that's possible).

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[Grand Old Partisan]

These polls are engineered just so as to induce otherwise intelligent Republicans into electing Bustamante, by voting for McClintock rather than Schwarzenegger.

[pogo101]

This is NOT to John but to whomever -- presumably someone more on the Schwarzenegger side of things -- is adding the ridiculous "gag" Keywords. As of 12:12 pm PDT, I see BUSTMANTEPROPAGANDA; CALGOV2002; MISINFORMATION; SPIN.

Whoever you are, cut it out. And bear in mind that additions of keywords are logged; the admins can see who you are. If you think the article is bad, post something saying so, but lay off the keyword crud.

[Carry_Okie]

McClintock, who has run ahead of Schwarzenegger among Independent voters, enjoys statewide favorable/unfavorable ratings much better than any other major candidate.

But Tom can't win.

[goldstategop]

No but imagine two Republican vote getters finishing AHEAD of the Democrats. The humiliation of the Davis-Clinton machine in California will be complete!

[John Jorsett]

I routinely put CALGOV2002 in the postings. We got into that habit during the last election to make the CA political threads easier to index and find. The other ones are from somebody else.

[Bikers4Bush]

So here we are a few days before the election and all hell is breaking loose.

Arnold accused of fondling women, Davis accused of abusing staffers (specifically a woman), Count DeBustamoney basically shutting his campaign down and the only guy who looks to be unscathed going into this is the same one that the CA GOP and GOP moderates have been stabbing in the back for weeks trying to get him to drop out, McClintock.

Just think what the situation would be if he HAD dropped out.

[jimt]

These polls are engineered just so as to induce otherwise intelligent Republicans into electing Bustamante, by voting for McClintock rather than Schwarzenegger.

Never put ANYTHING past a 'rat.

[JCEccles]

"If it is down to a two-man race," a GOP activist said, "my vote is for Tom. Schwarzenegger seemed to be the lesser of two evils compared to Bustamante, but that rationale disappears when Bustamante turns out to be the candidate that can't win."

;-)

[Carry_Okie]

The humiliation is our own, having lost the opportunity to have what we want for fear that our own principles won't sell.

[funkywbr]

I agree! Everything Media in Cali is tainted by their close enabling association to Davis!

[My2Cents]

Correct. Stay the course. Arnold is the frontrunner, is sufficiently conservative on the issues that matter in this recall election, and therefore deserves the support of conservatives. McClintock didn't even get the endorsement of key conservative legislators who work with him every day. This tells me that regardless of McClintock's position on the issues, he doens't have what it takes to be an effective governor.

[Republic Rocker]

DO NOT FALL FOR THIS . . . . . . LOGIC.

THIS IS A WINNER TAKE ALL. FOR THE STATE AS WELL AS THE NATION.

I LIKE TOM AND RESPECT TOM VERY MUCH. BUT HE IS NOT A TEAM PLAYER. HE WILL NOT GET THINGS DONE IN SACRAMENTO AS U ALL CLAIM. HE WILL GET MORE RESISTANCE THAN U CAN IMAGINE. ARNOLD IS THE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. ONE STEP OF MANY.

REPEAT AFTER ME...GOVERNOR BUSTAMANTE.

A MISTAKE THIS TIME COULD BE FUTILE.

[grania]

Let's hope this is true...McClintock can win and will implement conservative ideas that will turn California around

If this is true, then Arnold should get out of the race. There is no rationale for him running since McClintock can win.

Unless, of course, Arnold and his supporters would rather have a Democrat win than have a conservative Repulican be governor.

[pogo101]

I routinely put CALGOV2002 in the postings.

Didn't mean that particular one. But now (12:24 pm) I see another gag keyword, "Post7wahhh" or some such thing. Infantile.

[JCEccles]

If Bustamante drops out, you will still vote for Schwarzenegger?